Johann Zarco has shown an incredible amount of determination to come back from being fourth in the Moto2 championship standings and 21 points off, to leading by 34 after the recent Austrian Grand Prix. However, it’s Zarco’s celebrations and off-track persona that is winning him fans all over the world.
Back in 2011, Johann Zarco took his first win in the 125cc class, but the season itself was full of aggressive moves and a lot of crashing, despite being at the sharp end for so much of the year. Notably, his ambitious final corner move on eventual champion Nico Terol in Catalunya, which saw him demoted to 5th and in Misano, when he tried to grab Nico Terol’s front brake on the run to the line on the final lap.
However, Zarco has come from petulant child to sophisticated champion over the course of the last 18 months. His domination in last year’s Moto2 championship was absolutely remarkable, especially considering the competition, with reigning champion Esteve Rabat and rookie Alex Rins. Eight wins meant that he wrapped the title up before the final round in incredible style.
His celebrations are something a little bit remarkable too! The Frenchman’s backflips have become a fixture and expectation alone with a win. And even his variations of them have been something a little bit special too. At Assen last year, he did one in clogs and in Austria this year, he did it in lederhosen to mix in with locals.
And it’s not just his celebrations, determination, resilience and success that everyone likes about him. It’s the fact that he has time for his fans; he’s really happy to do the selfies and sign the photos, caps and shirts. He always makes time for as many people as possible and is always the first to congratulate another rider on a win or pole.
And it is for those reason why I believe that Johann Zarco is the Gentleman of MotoGP.
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